'Mr. Brandywine' was embraced

High school mourns loss of beloved volunteer.

High school mourns loss of beloved volunteer.

March 25, 2006|CAROL DRAEGER Tribune Staff Writer

NILES -- Matthew "Matty" Kurtis graduated from Brandywine High School in 1978, but he never really stopped attending school. Some could say his last day was Tuesday. That's when the 47-year-old's battle with lymphoma ended. It's fitting that a memorial service honoring Brandywine's biggest athletic booster will be in the high school's gymnasium today, his family said. "He was just Mr. Brandywine. They will miss him," said Kurtis' sister Cheryl Springsteen. In lieu of flowers people may make donations in Kurtis' name to the Berrien County Cancer Society or the Brandywine Athletic Boosters to support the softball program, Principal Greg Jones said. For nearly 30 years, Kurtis was a manager of football, volleyball and softball at the high school. Kurtis was also a staple at sporting events where he was the main ticket taker, said biology teacher Jim Myers, Kurtis' longtime friend and Brandywine's softball coach. "He was coach (Jim) Myers' right-hand man," his sister Cheryl Springsteen said. "Everyone knew him," said Myers. "He was just special. The school and sports fit his life perfectly. We did some things to help him, and he did a lot to help us." Kurtis' life wasn't naturally perfect. Born No. 5 in a family of six children, Kurtis suffered a hearing loss and some cognitive problems when his mother had rubella while she was pregnant with him. His siblings said Kurtis had the mind of a 13-year-old but could take care of himself and still function independently. "He had so little but gave so much," Kurtis' brother-in-law Jerry Springsteen said. The you-look-after-me and I'll-look-after you relationship Kurtis and the community shared was special, Brandywine Community Schools' Superintendent Gary Rider said. "Matty is just someone everyone in the whole Brandywine community latched on to," Rider said. "That's why there's so much emotion right now because of his passing. People took him under their wing, and he was a loyal Brandywine Bobcat." Myers helped Kurtis get into an apartment at the Four Flags Plaza in the 1990s. And before that, the late owner of Veni's Sweet Shop, Albert Marazita, set him up in an apartment above the downtown Niles candy shop and Kurtis did odd jobs at the store, according to Rider. "It was really an example of the family atmosphere in this community," Rider said, with merchants stepping up to pitch in. "The entire community wrapped their arms around him," Rider added. "Many people wanted to help and got involved, but they got more from him then what they gave to him." Nimble with numbers Kurtis had a way with numbers said both his sisters, Judy and Cheryl Springsteen, who are married to two brothers. "Growing up, he knew all the stats of Chicago Cubs players," Judy Springsteen said. Myers said he relied on Kurtis for many things, including being the chief stats collector, but what students and coaches liked most about him was his uplifting and giving personality. Kurtis struggled with physical problems that in the end became too much to overcome. He had both his hips replaced and about 15 years ago Kurtis' younger brother gave him a kidney because Kurtis needed a kidney transplant. The previous illnesses made it impossible for Kurtis to receive full doses of chemotherapy, Myers said. But his demeanor remained cheery up to his final days, Kurtis' family and friends said. "He was a very beautiful individual. If you asked him how he was doing, he'd always say 'good,'æ" Judy Springsteen said. "He will be greatly missed by everyone," Rider said. Staff writer Carol Draeger: cdraeger@sbtinfo.com (269) 687-7005